Joe Ghartey, former Minister for Railway Development, has been called in for questioning by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) as part of an ongoing investigation into the stalled Ghana Sky Train project.

Mr. Ghartey, who served as Minister from 2017 to 2021, is under scrutiny over the feasibility and financial aspects of the ambitious urban railway initiative. Sources suggest that the questioning is linked to concerns over the project’s financing and its failure to materialize, despite initial high hopes.

The Ghana Sky Train project, unveiled in 2018, was touted as a solution to Accra’s chronic traffic congestion. Under Ghartey’s tenure, the government signed a concession agreement with the Africa Investment (Ai) Sky Train Consortium in 2019, with a projected cost of $3 billion. However, the initiative never advanced, and doubts about its financial viability began to surface.

In 2022, the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) revealed that it had committed $2 million to the project, but had not seen any return on its investment. The Auditor-General’s report subsequently flagged the expenditure, amplifying public concern.

Mr. Ghartey’s questioning by the NIB adds to a growing list of officials who have been summoned in connection with the project. While the investigation’s outcomes remain uncertain, authorities are focusing on financial transactions and decision-making processes tied to the project.

As of now, Mr. Ghartey, a former Attorney General and Member of Parliament, has not provided public comment regarding his involvement in the ongoing inquiry.

Source:TheDotNews